Goodbye, KLR Redbull Dakar..

Heyya..

I haven't been updating my blog as i have been bikeless since September..

Officially, on 15th September 2010, I have sold my beloved KLR650 Red Bull Dakar to an Australian guy who works in Malaysia... Check out the photo below how happy he was when picking up the bike.. Hahaa.. He seemed very pleasant with the KLR.. As soon as he got the bike, he managed to ride to Ulu Langat Dam and Hatyai..

Soon after i came back from the solo ride to Mae Hong Son and Golden Triangle, i had a thought that I needed a bigger CC bike... The KLR served me very well through out the 6,000 km journey...

As i sold the KLR Redbull, i have clocked 31,000 km of mileage within 8 months.. that's hell of a lot of mileage i've done, which it had served me to travel to Cambodia and Thailand for every month...

The KLR 650 is perfect bike for Indo-China, Thailand etc ride... but i believed BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE would give me a bigger smile... Heheee

And of course, now with the BMW GS1200 Adventure, i can cruise 160-180 km/h easily along the highway.. and why "GS 1200 Adventure" instead of F800GS or standard GS1200??

Because it's my FIRST BMW bike, it's been my dream bike..  and i fucking want it the best of the best!!!

No more bike upgrading after this... I'm doing it All The Way, bitchesssssssss!!!

Oh by the way... I am getting the "30 Years Anniversary" R1200 GS Adventure...


HooRahh!!!!

Farkle: Cramp Buster!!!

Heyya..

I just installed a cheap farkle and one of the best investments I have ever bought for the RedBull KLR..

It is called CrampBuster aka throttle rocker.. It costs only RM50 and it is the largest cramp buster size I've found..

Currently I'm in Shah Alam and I've tested it for almost 50km along NKVE highway.. So far, it is very handy and my right palm felt very comfortable.. But I need to re-adjust its position to a sweet spot so I don't have to use it when I'm riding in town..

HooRahh!!

Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Mods: GIVI Engine Guard + Tubeless Rims

Heyya..

I'm so happy.. Very happy now as my rims are no longer using tubes.. I have modified the rims to 'tubeless rims'.. What Sunny has done, he put a thick sealant inside the rims where the spokes are connected to the rims..

By putting the sealant, it closes the holes & gap between the spokes and the rims.. Hence, there is no air can be escaped through the spokes.. Therefore I can use tubeless tires.. The modification costs RM300 for both rear and front rims and it took 3 days to be done..

Why would I have 'tubeless' rims? The answer is, it is safer to use them when I get the tires punctured as the air will not escape as fast as tubes'.. Also, it will be easier to fix the punctured tires using Puncture Kit.. It saves time to repair and it costs very cheap to repair..

Can you see the engine guard? it's wicked!!!

Today, I managed to buy an engine guard, produced by Givi.. There are few engine guards available in the market for KLR 650 but so far, Givi's engine guard has the best look, size and protection.. Not to forget, I noticed the finished quality of the engine guard is similar to Motech and Hepco & Becker (although they don't produce for KLR650)..

Somehow, Givi's engine guard does not increase the bike's vibration and it is wider than Motech's although it is smaller in size.. It costs RM600 including labour cost..

HooRahh!!

Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Service: New brake pads + Metzeler Sahara 3 tires

Heyya,

Today I have changed front brake pads and both front & rear tires.. Actually the front brake pads have 10% left..

Meanwhile the rear Sahara tire would last for another 5,000 km but I would not take any risk to use it for the upcoming ride to Chiang Mai and border of Laos..

The front brake pads cost RM70 and RM550 for a pair of Metzeler Sahara tires at Sunny Cycle..

HooRahh!!

Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

FMF Power Core 4: A complete installation guide!

Heyya..

As you have read in my previous article, i received the FMF Power Core 4 exhaust in the evening of 2nd July 2010..

THE next morning as early as 7.00 am, i called up my mates Din and Erry to assist me installing the FMF..

Erry turned up late, so we proceeded with the installation as i was so excited!

(Review on FMF Power Core 4 exhaust will be done later)

Introducing, Team KLR 650 Red Bull Dakar :

         The KLR Red Bull Dakar Rider..  ;-P                                                          The Team Chief Mechanic.. hehee

First of all, unscrew and take off the rear brake cover and rear brake fluid reservoir... By removing them, it is easier to reach the exhaust mid-pipe clamp.. Hence, unscrew the mid-pipe clamp...

Then unscrew all nuts and bolts of the rear fairing...

Then unscrew the exhaust muffler nuts and bolts from the KLR chassis / rear frame.. Remember to keep the nuts and bolts as they are needed for the FMF exhaust.. FMF does not provide these nuts and bolts.. Now the stock exhaust muffler can be pulled out and removed..


The FMF Power Core 4 comes in a box which is packed with 1 mid-pipe clamp, 2 brackets, bracket extension, spacers, nuts and bolts..

By comparison done by Din, the team chief mechanic, the FMF exhaust is three times lighter than the stock exhaust.. it can be held with only 2 fingers, it's super light... Das ist Gut!!!

It is advisable to assemble the brackets, extension, spacers, nuts and bolts on the FMF exhaust muffler before installing it into the mid-pipe.. it took us almost 15 minutes to assemble the bracket, spacers, etc components onto the muffler..

Placed the FMF exhaust front pipe into the mid-pipe section.. then, tighten the nuts and bolts of the brackets onto the KLR chassis / rear frame.. then tighten up the clamp of the mid-pipe section... Also placed and re-assembled the rear side fairing, rear brake fluid reservoir and its cover protector..

It took us almost 30 minutes from removing the stock exhaust to installing the FMF exhaust from box!

and the sound with spark arrestor is............... fookin' Superb!!!


HooRahh!!

FMF Power Core 4 exhaust

Heyya...

At last, the waiting is finally fookin' over!!!



FYI, i have not opened the box yet.. i can't wait for tomorrow as in the morning (3rd July 2010), i will install the exhaust with my mates, Din and Erry...  Yeah YeaaArrgghhh!!

All tools (SATA tools) are ready... i will definitely snap lots of photos & videos on the installation process and do sound comparisons between:

- Stock exhaust
- FMF Power Core 4 exhaust with Spark Arrestor / dB Killer
- FMF Power Core 4 exhaust WITHOUT Spark Arrestor / dB Killer

Hoo - Fookin' - Rahh!!

Reviews: FMF PowerCore 4 Delivery + New Accessories

Heyya...

I just checked USPS website for an update on my FMF Power Core 4 exhaust order and it stated:

Label/Receipt Number: CJxx xxxx 8xxx S
Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: Into Foreign Customs
Your item is being processed by customs in MALAYSIA. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later. 
Detailed Results:

	Into Foreign Customs, June 28, 2010, 12:24 pm, MALAYSIA
	Arrived Abroad, June 28, 2010, 8:29 am, MALAYSIA
	International Dispatch, June 22, 2010, 10:22 pm, ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)
	Arrival
	Electronic Shipping Info Received, June 22, 2010

Hoo-Fookin'-Rahh!!


Anyway, i have tested the Scott Voltage OTG goggles, Alpinestars Jet motocross gloves, tank bag and Scott-Oiler vSystem... Overall, they work really great for me..

Scott Voltage OTG goggles (300 km of mileage tested)

Pros: 
- Works great with my glasses on
- fits perfectly in Arai Tour Cross II
- fits nicely on my face without any empty gap and not pressing too hard on my cheeks
- No fog at all, even at traffic jam
- Useful in rain, no fog built-up and water does not stay on the lens
- Definitely works very well at night time!!

Cons:
- It limits my 'side' vision.. hence, i need to turn my head more to ensure no vehicles beside me
- If i ride more than 140 km/h, wind starts to press my lips and eventually air starts to enter the tiny mesh sponges, which penetrates to my eyes
- Wind noise
- Uncomfortable ride in heavy rain as rain drops hit my nose & lips at 140 km/h... now that's fookin' painful!


Alpinestars Jet motocross gloves (300 km of mileage tested)

Pros:
- super lightweight comparing with leather gloves
- thin fingertips surface makes it easy to feel objects, i.e. money, iPod, etc etc
- feels cool, even at traffic jam
- easy to dry-off when wet after heavy rain

Cons:
- less protection than leather gloves
- feels thumper vibration more as the palm surface is thin

Scott-Oiler vSystem (1,500 km of mileage tested)

Pros:
- Chain is always lubricated
- Save time and space for not using & carrying chain lubricant container
- Lasts 5,000 km per re-filled tube container








Tank bag (1,500 km of mileage tested)

Pros:
- Waterproof 'with rain cover', tested in 350 km of heavy tropical thunderstorm
- Amazingly useful to keep road maps, mobile phones, wallet, passport, iPod, etc etc
- Huge magnets, hence tank bag stays tight and securely upright
- Medium-Small size
- will be my Olympus E-P1 camera bag
- Looks fookin' great on KLR 650 Redbull Dakar


HooRahh!!

Mod: FMF Power Core 4 Exhaust Slip-On

Heyya,


I have successfully paid for the FMF Power Core 4 exhaust slip-on..

"We'll get that out right away for you. Tracking will be emailed once your order ships out. 
Please let me know if you have any questions, we appreciate your business.

Thank You,

Phil Peña

16591 Noyes Avenue
Irvine, CA 92606

(800) 706-9476 x 228
(949) 419-0594 International"

Now i can't wait to get it in my hands... once installed, i'll be riding up to Chiang Mai and Chinag Rai (almost 2,400 km from Kuala Lumpur).. More stories and video-clips can be found here: FMF Power Core 4


HooRahh!!

Accessories: Scott Oiler and Tank Bag

Heyya..



I just got back from Sunny Cycle to install Scott Oiler and also bought a tank bag...

I got the Scott Oiler from Sunny Cycle for a special deal, at RM460.00 including installation/labour cost... It is a newer version of Scott Oiler, which is V-System.. it took JingSheng almost 30 minutes to install it...


"Scottoiler V-System Oiler
The Scottoiler vSystem utilises a gravity system that cleans and lubricates the chain as you ride meaning that more time can be spent riding instead of maintaining your bike. It absorbs no power, does not affect the engine, has no wearing parts and is easily fitted to almost any motorcycle."

As for the Tank Bag, i bought a Small size tank bag.. the reason i bought Small is because KLR 650 tank surface is very small... Therefore, a bigger tank bag would not have as much as magnetic grip as a small tank bag...

To me, as long as the tank bag has a see-through plastic cover, i'll be happy as i can put a road map underneath of it.. also, i'll be getting Olympus PEN E-P1 camera and i need a bag to keep it...

I used to keep my Point & Shoot camera in my riding pants pocket as it is a slim camera but i can't keep the PEN E-P1 Micro 4/3 SLR camera in my riding pants...

Hence, i need a tank bag and it'll be easier for me to shoot when i stop by the road side without taking it out of my Top Box at rear... Not forgetting, i can keep my wallet, passport, mobile phone, iPod and some documents in it.. The tank bag costs only RM120.00 and it comes with a sling and rain cover..

Also, the tank bag looks brilliant when it is off the bike... it can also be my Olympus PEN E-P1 camera bag... ;-)


HooRahh!!

Update: Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3

Heyya..

It's time to update some parts of the KLR 650..

After almost 18,000 km of mileage clocked, the front Metzeler Sahara 3 rear tire looks pretty soft and there is only almost 50% tread left.. I guess i can ride safely for another 5,000 km with this front tire..

Whilst the rear tire needed to be changed, most probably only 20% of tire tread left... hence, i changed only the rear tire to a new Metzeler Sahara 3 Enduro... it costs RM320.00 only for the rear tire at Sunny Cycle, KL..

With 18,000 km of mileage done, the tires have served me very well... the performance is much better, more comfortable, smoother than the Standard Dunlop tires and they reduce the high speed wobble significantly... I would totally recommend the Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 for those who travel long distance a lot!!!

HooRahh!!

Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 & Givi Topbox

Heyya..

I was recommended by Sunny Cycle to change the stock tires (Dunlop) to Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3..

the front and rear tires cost only RM580.00 ... to me, they are very cheap compare with my previous superbike tires (~RM1100.00)... how i wish i could have ridden dual-purpose bikes for a long time...

Anyway, the handling of the Sahara 3 can be obviously noticeable... at high speed of 140km/h, the bike does not wobble at all.. this gives me more confidence to ride at high speed... and this is what i have been looking for..

Also, i have installed a Givi Top Box on the KLR 650.. the capacity of the box is 50 liters.. Oh Yeahh!! i can put lots of stuff inside it.. even, i can keep 2 full face helmets inside the box..

I paid the Givi top box for only RM480.. yeap, another great item at very low price... the other option is Hepko & Becker top box which costs RM1200.. i can see the Hepko & Becker top box is very solid and strong built compare with the Givi's.. The Givi came with a universal rack, which needs time and effort to drill onto the existing stock rack.. where else, the Hepko comes with a rack which is already designed for the specific bikes and easy to install.. anyway, i'm very cheap.. hehehe



HooRahh!!

Oh No!!!!!

Heyya..

I met Zaini and Boy today at Amir's workshop.. Zaini also owns a KLR 650 and i asked the two of them on why the temperature of my bike gets very high (3/4 of the temperature gauge) at idle, i.e. traffic jam or traffic light..

Boy suspected it could be the water pump is not working...

There is no leakage at the radiator and water reservoir...

And the fan is working perfectly by kicking on when the temperature gets high...

So tomorrow morning, i'll be heading to Chear Setapak to diagnose the bike.. hopefully, hoopppefully, the bike should be fixed and ready for thursday morning ride to Cambodia..

Why this happens at the last minute? :'-(

at least i found the problem 'before' i leave to Cambodia... because getting a breakdown in Thailand or Cambodia will be a nightmare for me...

so No HooRahh!!

Mod: KLR-Red Bull Dakar Design.. Done!

Finally,

From this...

To this...

(Click photo to zoom)

Pictures tell a thousand words...
(Click photo to zoom)

You may follow the design planning from here..

The hard work has been done by Korno and his colleague.. they've been working hard till 1 o'clock in the morning without having dinner before..

Thank you guys!! I really appreciate your commitment..




The final touch was done on the front suspension with Acerbis stickers..

Lovely..

Cyril Despres (Dakar Rally Winner)

HooRahh!!